Wave Generating Systems

ABSTRACT

A wave generating system comprising: a semi-submerged water displacement hull adapted to travel along a travel path within a wave pool, thereby generating a wake; and a wake modulator adapted to modulate the wake; wherein at least one of the travel path of the hull relative to the wake modulator and the travel of the wave modulator relative to the wake generated by the hull is controlled to effect the modulation of the wake.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to wave generating systems. The inventionparticularly relates to wave generating systems that facilitatemodulation of a wake generated by the system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a wavegenerating system comprising:

-   -   a semi-submerged water displacement hull adapted to travel along        a travel path within a wave pool, thereby generating a wake; and    -   a wake modulator adapted to modulate the wake;    -   wherein at least one of the travel path of the hull relative to        the wake modulator and the travel of the wave modulator relative        to the wake generated by the hull is controlled to effect the        modulation of the wake.

In one embodiment, the wake modulator comprises contours of a floor ofthe wave pool and wherein the travel path of the hull is non-parallelwith the contours. The travel path of the hull may be at a predeterminedangle relative to the contours, or may follow a meandering path relativeto the contours.

In certain embodiments, the hull comprises a panel extending from thestern of the hull. In other embodiments, the hull is rotatably mountedrelative to a carriage.

In another embodiment, the wake modulator comprises at least anotherhull adapted to travel along a travel path within the wave pool, therebygenerating another wake, and wherein modulation of the wake comprises aninteraction between the wake and the other wake.

The travel paths of the hulls may be substantially identical, and thehulls disposed at a distance from one another such that wakes generatedby a prior hull are superimposed by wakes of a following hull.

The travel paths of the hull and the other hull may alternatively betowards one another such that the wake and the other wake intersect toform a bulge that advanced laterally across the wave pool.

The travel paths of the hull and the other hull may alternatively be inthe same direction on opposing sides of the wave pool such that the wakeand the other wake intersect to form a concave wave front disposedbetween the travel paths.

In a further embodiment, the wake modulator comprises a submerged foiladapted to travel along a travel path parallel to the travel path of thehull and at a predetermined distance preceding the wake generated by thehull such that the foil forms a trough that modulates the wake.

In yet another embodiment, the wake modulator comprises a submerged reefadapted to travel along a travel path parallel to the travel path of thehull and at a predetermined distance behind the hull such that the wakegenerated by the hull travel over the reef as the reef advances, therebycausing the wake to break over the reef.

The submerged reef may comprise an adjustable panel that can be adjustedrelative to the wake of the hull.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise,the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”,will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element orinteger or group of steps or elements or integers, but not the exclusionof any other step or element or integer or group of steps, elements orintegers. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term“comprising” is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understoodas meaning “including principally, but not necessarily solely”.

The present invention consists of features and a combination of partshereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificingany of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the presentinvention, a more particular description of the invention will berendered by references to specific embodiments thereof, which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It should be appreciated thatthese drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting on its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a hull moving along a travel path that is parallel tocontours of a wave pool.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hull moving along a travel path that is notparallel to contours of a wave pool.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hull moving along a meandering travel path relativeto contours of a wave pool.

FIG. 4 illustrates a hull moving along a travel path that is notparallel to contours of a wave pool, generating a deflective wake.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hull provided with a panel extending from the sternthereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hull moving rotatably mounted on a carriage as itmoves along a travel path that is not parallel to contours of a wavepool.

FIG. 7 illustrates two hulls moving along a travel path that is parallelto contours of a wave pool.

FIG. 8 illustrates a first hull moving along a travel path that isparallel to contours of a wave pool.

FIG. 9 illustrates two hulls moving along a travel path that is parallelto contours of a wave pool.

FIG. 10 illustrates two hulls moving along opposing travel paths.

FIG. 11 illustrates the two hulls of FIG. 10 at the end of their travelpaths.

FIG. 12 illustrates two hulls moving along travel paths on opposingsides of a wave pool.

FIG. 13 illustrates a hull moving along a travel path that is parallelto a travel path of a preceding submerged foil.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross sectional view of the system of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a hull moving along a travel path that is parallelto the travel path of a following reef.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross sectional view of the system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates a hull moving along a travel path that is parallelto the travel path of a following reef.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate cross sectional views of the system of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present inventionaccording to the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood thatlimiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the inventionis merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it isenvisioned without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates to recreational wave pools. The purpose ofthis invention is to change wave shape to suit various aspects ofsurfing performance.

To efficiently transform wave shape, the present invention provides forat least one of the following:

-   -   1. Manipulates swell size, speed and direction, by controlling        the position of a semi-submerged water displacement member        (hereafter the “hull”) relative to the contours of the pool        floor;    -   2. Produces overlapping wakes, by controlling the relative        position, speed and configuration of multiple hulls;    -   3. Manipulates water level, by controlling the position of a        submerged water displacement member (hereafter: the “foil”)        relative to an advancing wake; and    -   4. Manipulates surf zone bathymetry, by controlling the position        of a wave obstruction member (hereafter: the “reef”) relative to        the water surface.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 in which a hull 105 moving along a travelpath 110 proximate the edge of a pool 115, in a direction that isparallel to the contours 120 of the pool floor, such that the resultingwake 125 advances at a constant angle, depicted here as 45 degrees tothe contours 120, upon which the wake is designed to break. FIG. 2depicts a similar system 200 having the same elements as FIG. 1, exceptthat the travel path 210 of the hull 205 is now five degrees offparallel to the contours 220 of the pool floor, resulting in a fivedegree reduction in the angle of its wake 225, which now advances at anangle of 40 degrees, instead of 45 degrees, as depicted in FIG. 1. Theangle of the travel path 210 of the hull 205 may advantageously bemodified to modulate the angle of the wake 225 relative to the contours220 of the pool floor.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative system 300 having the same elements asFIG. 2, except that the hull 305 now follows a meandering path 310,resulting in the angle of its wake 325 changing in response to thevarious directions followed by the hull 305. Apart from producing wavesthat continually change shape, the meandering path 310 increases wavepower by compressing the wave front each time it turns toward the sidethat releases the wake 325.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a vertical panel 430 is suspendedlongitudinally from one side of the hull 405, to prevent a wake 425′from forming on that side of the hull 405, when its path takes it awayfrom the pool wall 415, which would otherwise prevent the desired wake425 from forming. FIG. 4 depicts the undesirable occurrence of the wake425′ bouncing off the wall 415 of the pool. FIG. 5 depicts the hull 405with a vertical panel 430 suspended from one side and extending beyondthe stern of the vessel.

In another, as depicted in FIG. 6, the hull 605 is supported by acarriage 635, which allows it to pivot on the horizontal plane, so itcan be aligned with the direction of its movement through the wateralong the travel path 610. FIG. 6 depicts the relationship between thealignment of the hull 605, the travel path 610 it follows and thecarriage 635 supporting it.

The systems of FIGS. 2-6, described above, may further provide foraltering the depth of the hull while it is being driven along the travelpath such that the magnitude of its wake increases or decreasesaccordingly. Similarly, the systems may provide for alteration of thewidth of the hull while it is being driven along the travel path suchthat the magnitude of its wake increases or decreases accordingly. Inother embodiments the systems may provide for increasing or decreasingthe speed of the hull, such that the magnitude of its wake increases ordecreases accordingly. A plurality of hulls may also be driven along thetravel path on side of a channel, with successive hulls moving atdifferent speeds, such that their wakes vary in size and speed.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of hulls isdriven in close succession along the side of a channel, such that keydifferences in their size, draft and trim angle result in variouslyangled wakes, which subsequently intersect to produce favourable effectson the resulting wave. FIG. 7 depicts two hulls 705, which are travelingalong the same path, but are producing differently angled wakes 725,which subsequently intersect as they enter shallow water.

As depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the plurality of hulls 805, 805′ areadvantageously driven along the wall of a pool 815 with the hulls 805,805′ spaced precisely one wavelength apart, such that the second wake825′ from the preceding hull 805 merges with the first wake 825″ of thefollowing hull 805′. FIG. 8 depicts a single hull 805 producing a trainof two wakes 825 and 825′. FIG. 9 depicts two hulls 805, 805′ advancingalong the same path, with each hull 805, 805′ producing a train of twowakes, such that the first wake 825″ of the trailing hull 805′ becomesaligned with the second wake 825′ of the preceding hull 805. Byoverlapping the wake trains of multiple hulls, the wave size relative toenergy input may be increased, while simultaneously maximising theirrate of production, since the wave length of the preceding hull's wakedetermines how close the next hull can trail, without its wake undulydistorting the preceding hull's wake.

In certain embodiments, the speed of the hulls may be controlled by aprogrammable logic computer, such that the distance between successivewave generating bodies maintains the correlation with wave length, asthe resulting waves build in size and their wave lengths increase.

In other embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, two hulls 1005,1005′ are driven toward each other, along one side 1015 of a channel,such that their wakes 1025, 1025′ intersect to form a bulge 1040, whichadvances laterally across the pool, directly toward the shallows, whereit forms into a peak, as it breaks.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 12, two hulls 1205, 1205′ aredriven along opposing sides 1215, 1215′ of a channel, in the samedirection, such that their wakes 1225, 1225′ intersect in the middle ofthe channel, where they converge to form a concave wave 1240 front thatadvances along the centre line of the channel for as long as said wakes1225, 1225′ continue to intersect.

In a further embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, a submergedfoil 1350 is driven along a horizontal path 1355, in front of a wake1325 such that its effect upon the surface contours of the waterconverge with the wake 1325. The method of propulsion could beself-contained, as with a submarine, or via a track fixed to the poolfloor. FIG. 14 depicts a cross-section A-B of the submerged foil 1350,followed by a trough 1360, which affects the wake 1325, by increasingthe depth of its trough 1365 and the height of its crest 1370.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16, a hull 1505produces a wake 1525, which forms into a breaking wave 1525′ as itcrosses over a reef 1550 driven along a parallel path 1575. The wake1525 intersects the path 1575 of a reef 1550, for example moving along atrack, maintaining its position below the advancing wake 1525. FIG. 16depicts the cross-section A-B, identified in FIG. 15, showing the reef1550, causing the wake 1525 to break in a manner determined by the shapeand proximity of the reef 1550.

In an alternative embodiment, a hull produces a wake, which forms into abreaking wave as it crosses over a reef in the form of a submergedpanel, which is driven along a path that is parallel to the pathfollowed by said hull. FIG. 17 depicts this arrangement, viewed fromabove, in which a hull 1705 produces a wake 1725 that intersects thepath of a submerged panel 1750, which maintains its position below theadvancing wake 1725, by moving along rails 1780 fixed to the pool floor.To minimise drag, the position of the submerged panel 1750 is flat withrespect to its direction of movement. In cross-section, the submergedpanel 1750 is curved, with its convex surface facing upward. Thesubmerged panel 1750 is secured to a carriage 1785 by struts, which areindependently extendable, to allow for the submerged panel 1750 to berepositioned relative to the surface. FIG. 18 depicts the cross-sectionA-B, identified in FIG. 17, showing the submerged panel 150, causing thewave to break 1725′ in a manner determined by the shape and proximity ofthe panel 1750. FIGS. 19 and 20 depict the same cross-section, nowshowing how the submerged panel 1750 can be repositioned at differentdepths and different angles, to change the shape of the wave 1725′breaking above it. In FIG. 19, the submerged panel 1750 has been rotated10 degrees to steepen the incline, which causes the wave 1725′ to breakmore abruptly, increasing its height and the breadth of its plunge. FIG.20 depicts the submerged panel 1750 raised as a unit to make the watershallower, so the wave 1725′ breaks even more abruptly, creating an evenrounder concave in the cross-sectional profile of the plunging wave1725′.

Unless the context requires otherwise or specifically stated to thecontrary, integers, steps or elements of the invention recited herein assingular integers, steps or elements clearly encompass both singular andplural forms of the recited integers, steps or elements.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description has been given byway of illustrative example of the invention and that all suchmodifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons ofskill in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit ofthe invention as herein set forth.

1. A wave generating system comprising: a semi-submerged waterdisplacement hull adapted to travel along a travel path within a wavepool, thereby generating a wake; and a wake modulator adapted tomodulate the wake; wherein at least one of the travel path of the hullrelative to the wake modulator and the travel of the wave modulatorrelative to the wake generated by the hull is controlled to effect themodulation of the wake.
 2. The wave generating system according to claim1, wherein said wake modulator comprises contours of a floor of the wavepool and wherein said travel path of said hull is non-parallel with saidcontours.
 3. The wave generating system according to claim 2, whereinsaid travel path of said hull is at a predetermined angle relative tosaid contours.
 4. The wave generating system according to claim 2,wherein said travel path of said hull follows a meandering path relativeto said contours.
 5. The wave generating system according to claim 2,wherein said hull comprises a panel extending from the stern of saidhull.
 6. The wave generating system according to claim 2, wherein saidhull is rotatably mounted relative to a carriage.
 7. The wave generatingsystem according to claim 1, wherein said wake modulator comprises atleast another hull adapted to travel along a travel path within saidwave pool, thereby generating another wake, and wherein modulation ofsaid wake comprises an interaction between said wake and said otherwake.
 8. The wave generating system according to claim 7, wherein thetravel paths of the hulls are substantially identical, and wherein saidhulls are disposed at a distance from one another such that wakesgenerated by a prior hull are superimposed by wakes of a following hull.9. The wave generating system according to claim 7, wherein the travelpaths of said hull and said other hull are towards one another such thatsaid wake and said other wake intersect to form a bulge that advancedlaterally across said wave pool.
 10. The wave generating systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the travel paths of said hull and saidother hull are in the same direction on opposing sides of said wave poolsuch that said wake and said other wake intersect to form a concave wavefront disposed between said travel paths.
 11. The wave generating systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said wake modulator comprises a submergedfoil adapted to travel along a travel path parallel to said travel pathof said hull and at a predetermined distance preceding said wakegenerated by said hull such that said foil forms a trough that modulatessaid wake.
 12. The wave generating system according to claim 1, whereinsaid wake modulator comprises a submerged reef adapted to travel along atravel path parallel to said travel path of said hull and at apredetermined distance behind said hull such that said wake generated bysaid hull travel over said reef as said reef advances, thereby causingsaid wake to break over said reef.
 13. The wave generating systemaccording to claim 12, wherein said submerged reef comprises anadjustable panel that can be adjusted relative to said wake of saidhull.